Ethnography
Throughout the semester you will engage in participant observation of our class to produce a simulated ethnography of ANTH 1306, Introduction to Anthropology. We will begin the course with a discussion of culture and ethnography and how you will conduct your research. You will gather data for your ethnography during each class period by participating in and observing our class. Structured questionnaires will be conducted during class (using on-line polling) and there will be time for one-on-one interviews with fellow students. Based on your observations, enhanced with your developing anthropological perspective, you will produce a short (4-6 page) ethnography of the class.
Why are we doing this? Your textbook is filled with observations and insights. Where is this information coming from? Participant-observation and interviewing is a method sociocultural anthropologists use to gain insights into human behavior and culture. Just as in a Chemistry class you may conduct laboratory experiments to understand how chemists gain understanding of chemical properties, in this class you will conduct an ethnography to learn how anthropologists "know what they know" about human behavior and culture. Remember that your ethnography is only a limited exposure to the methods; actual ethnographers and the work they produce is much more robust and sophisticated.
Structural options for your paper:
OPTION 1 - Traditional scientific presentation. Report Sections.
This option differs from Option 1 because it is highly structured and mechanical in form. It follows the standard format for most scientific inquiry conducted globally. The reader is lead step-by-step through your process and results. There will likely be more emphasis on the quantitative data gathered through in-class surveys. Use of the qualitative data is also required.
1. Introduction (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Start with thinking about something you are interested in about the class or students within the class. Frame your interest in the form of a question whose answer might satisfy your curiosity. This is your research question assuming it can be answered within the context of the class and assignment. State your question clearly for the reader. Clarify for the reader your intended audience; that is, who will be most interested and benefit from your ethnography.
2. Relevance (1 paragraph)
Explain and argue why answering your research question is anthropologically relevant. That is, who cares? How will answering the question improve a reader's understanding of or behavior toward others?
3. Data and Methods (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Describe to your audience exactly how you conducted your research so they can evaluate the credibility of your data, methods, and results. Participant observation, interviewing, and the on-line surveys are the primary methods available to you. Define and describe specifically how you employed each method. Also describe the method you used to select your informants. This is not the place to start reporting your Results (polling numbers, interviews, observations, etc.).
4. Results (2 to 3 pages)
This section identifies what you learned and what insights you gained from your efforts. Employ the anthropological perspective you have developed during the semester. This section should provide answers to your research question. Present your quantitative data (polling results) in a table or figure(s) so that your reader can easily and quickly understand the data. The qualitative results (interviews) should be used to understand the "why" behind your quantitative data. Quoting your informants is more revealing than summarizing or synthesizing their responses. Do not become an advocate for your own views but let the informants' views (the data) speak for themselves. Your qualitative data should be the primary analytical emphasis in your study.
5. Discussion (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Disclose both the strengths and weaknesses of your study. Tell the reader how your efforts could have been improved, what the potential biases are within your results, and suggest methods of improving your study in the future.
6. Implications (2 to 4 paragraphs)
Explain how the results of your ethnography contribute to your understanding of others (individuals or groups). Specifically, what have you learned and how would you like to change your behavior based on what you learned? For example, would you like to be more involved in helping others with a problem you investigated or revealed in your study? If so, would you prefer to engage with local, regional, national, or global communities?
7. Conclusion (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Summarize the results of your study and situate these results and implications in an anthropological context. That is, what implications do your results have for larger anthropological issues (e.g., power, justice, inequality, citizenship, linguistics, science, pedagogy, politics and current policy issues, interpretations of the past, globalization, etc.). This is important; don't leave this out!
OPTION 2 - Narrative. Report Sections.
This option differs from Option 1 because it is less structured and more "thick description." It can be more interesting to write and read but it can also be a rambling, pointless, intellectual mess. While the writing is more conversational, strong paragraph structure (topic sentence plus supporting examples) is required! There will likely be more emphasis on the qualitative data gathered through in-class interviewing and participant observations. Use of the quantitative data is also required.
1. Introduction
The content is the same as number 1 (above) but it is written less mechanically. Draw your reader into your research through a vignette that excites the reader about your research.
2. Relevance
Same as number 2 (above)
3. Data and Methods
The contents is the same as number 2 (above) but it is written more conversationally. Remember: strong paragraph structure and an absence of grammatical errors is the minimum expected! If the reader is thinking, "What are you talking about? What are you trying to convince me of" you have failed.
4. Results
The content is the same as number 3 (above). This is where you answer the research question posed in your Introduction.
5. Discussion
Same as number 4 (above)
6. Implications
Same as number 5 (above)
7. Conclusion
Same as number 6 (above).
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS:
Please submit your assignment with a cover page that contains your name and student ID. The, please do not include your name on any other page of your submitted assignment.
1. Use the section headers identified above. These help the reader follow your study.
2. Both quantitative (polling) and qualitative (interviewing) data are required for both Option 1 and 2.
2. Carefully proof-read your study. Grammatical errors make it very difficult to understand your study and will result in a significantly lower grade for the assignment
3. Double-space the text. Upload the assignment to Blackboard before the due date/time.
4. At the end of your paper in a separate paragraph would you please give me your thoughts and suggestions about this learning activity? What did you learn from writing and "doing" this ethnography? This is the first time I have done this activity, how should it be improved? Your response wont affect your grade Thanks!
GRADING RUBRIC:
20 points: The author demonstrates a very strong understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and the use of quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an insightful and interesting ethnography that creates new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was closely followed and grammatical and spelling errors are minimal to non-existent. The ethnography goes well beyond expectations.
18 points: The author demonstrates a very strong understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and the use of quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an insightful and interesting ethnography that may create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was followed and grammatical and spelling errors are minimal to non-existent.
16 points: The author demonstrates some understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an ethnography that will likely not create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was somewhat followed.and/or the credibility of the study was compromised by grammatical and spelling errors.
14 points: The author has demonstrated a limited understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an ethnography that will likely not create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was somewhat followed.
0 to 12 points: The author's submission is incomplete, incomprehensible, or lacks a reasonable understanding of anthropological and ethnographic methods.
SAMPLE ETHNOGRAPHIES:
Use the UTA library and search the internet for examples.
Look in Blackboard under "Course Materials" for samples.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Writing an Ethnography
Ethnographic Interview and Questions
Why are we doing this? Your textbook is filled with observations and insights. Where is this information coming from? Participant-observation and interviewing is a method sociocultural anthropologists use to gain insights into human behavior and culture. Just as in a Chemistry class you may conduct laboratory experiments to understand how chemists gain understanding of chemical properties, in this class you will conduct an ethnography to learn how anthropologists "know what they know" about human behavior and culture. Remember that your ethnography is only a limited exposure to the methods; actual ethnographers and the work they produce is much more robust and sophisticated.
Structural options for your paper:
OPTION 1 - Traditional scientific presentation. Report Sections.
This option differs from Option 1 because it is highly structured and mechanical in form. It follows the standard format for most scientific inquiry conducted globally. The reader is lead step-by-step through your process and results. There will likely be more emphasis on the quantitative data gathered through in-class surveys. Use of the qualitative data is also required.
1. Introduction (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Start with thinking about something you are interested in about the class or students within the class. Frame your interest in the form of a question whose answer might satisfy your curiosity. This is your research question assuming it can be answered within the context of the class and assignment. State your question clearly for the reader. Clarify for the reader your intended audience; that is, who will be most interested and benefit from your ethnography.
2. Relevance (1 paragraph)
Explain and argue why answering your research question is anthropologically relevant. That is, who cares? How will answering the question improve a reader's understanding of or behavior toward others?
3. Data and Methods (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Describe to your audience exactly how you conducted your research so they can evaluate the credibility of your data, methods, and results. Participant observation, interviewing, and the on-line surveys are the primary methods available to you. Define and describe specifically how you employed each method. Also describe the method you used to select your informants. This is not the place to start reporting your Results (polling numbers, interviews, observations, etc.).
4. Results (2 to 3 pages)
This section identifies what you learned and what insights you gained from your efforts. Employ the anthropological perspective you have developed during the semester. This section should provide answers to your research question. Present your quantitative data (polling results) in a table or figure(s) so that your reader can easily and quickly understand the data. The qualitative results (interviews) should be used to understand the "why" behind your quantitative data. Quoting your informants is more revealing than summarizing or synthesizing their responses. Do not become an advocate for your own views but let the informants' views (the data) speak for themselves. Your qualitative data should be the primary analytical emphasis in your study.
5. Discussion (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Disclose both the strengths and weaknesses of your study. Tell the reader how your efforts could have been improved, what the potential biases are within your results, and suggest methods of improving your study in the future.
6. Implications (2 to 4 paragraphs)
Explain how the results of your ethnography contribute to your understanding of others (individuals or groups). Specifically, what have you learned and how would you like to change your behavior based on what you learned? For example, would you like to be more involved in helping others with a problem you investigated or revealed in your study? If so, would you prefer to engage with local, regional, national, or global communities?
7. Conclusion (1 to 2 paragraphs)
Summarize the results of your study and situate these results and implications in an anthropological context. That is, what implications do your results have for larger anthropological issues (e.g., power, justice, inequality, citizenship, linguistics, science, pedagogy, politics and current policy issues, interpretations of the past, globalization, etc.). This is important; don't leave this out!
OPTION 2 - Narrative. Report Sections.
This option differs from Option 1 because it is less structured and more "thick description." It can be more interesting to write and read but it can also be a rambling, pointless, intellectual mess. While the writing is more conversational, strong paragraph structure (topic sentence plus supporting examples) is required! There will likely be more emphasis on the qualitative data gathered through in-class interviewing and participant observations. Use of the quantitative data is also required.
1. Introduction
The content is the same as number 1 (above) but it is written less mechanically. Draw your reader into your research through a vignette that excites the reader about your research.
2. Relevance
Same as number 2 (above)
3. Data and Methods
The contents is the same as number 2 (above) but it is written more conversationally. Remember: strong paragraph structure and an absence of grammatical errors is the minimum expected! If the reader is thinking, "What are you talking about? What are you trying to convince me of" you have failed.
4. Results
The content is the same as number 3 (above). This is where you answer the research question posed in your Introduction.
5. Discussion
Same as number 4 (above)
6. Implications
Same as number 5 (above)
7. Conclusion
Same as number 6 (above).
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS:
Please submit your assignment with a cover page that contains your name and student ID. The, please do not include your name on any other page of your submitted assignment.
1. Use the section headers identified above. These help the reader follow your study.
2. Both quantitative (polling) and qualitative (interviewing) data are required for both Option 1 and 2.
2. Carefully proof-read your study. Grammatical errors make it very difficult to understand your study and will result in a significantly lower grade for the assignment
3. Double-space the text. Upload the assignment to Blackboard before the due date/time.
4. At the end of your paper in a separate paragraph would you please give me your thoughts and suggestions about this learning activity? What did you learn from writing and "doing" this ethnography? This is the first time I have done this activity, how should it be improved? Your response wont affect your grade Thanks!
GRADING RUBRIC:
20 points: The author demonstrates a very strong understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and the use of quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an insightful and interesting ethnography that creates new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was closely followed and grammatical and spelling errors are minimal to non-existent. The ethnography goes well beyond expectations.
18 points: The author demonstrates a very strong understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and the use of quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an insightful and interesting ethnography that may create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was followed and grammatical and spelling errors are minimal to non-existent.
16 points: The author demonstrates some understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an ethnography that will likely not create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was somewhat followed.and/or the credibility of the study was compromised by grammatical and spelling errors.
14 points: The author has demonstrated a limited understanding of anthropological methods (participant observation, interviewing, surveying and quantitative and qualitative data) and has crafted an ethnography that will likely not create new insights for a reader. The requested format for the ethnography was somewhat followed.
0 to 12 points: The author's submission is incomplete, incomprehensible, or lacks a reasonable understanding of anthropological and ethnographic methods.
SAMPLE ETHNOGRAPHIES:
Use the UTA library and search the internet for examples.
Look in Blackboard under "Course Materials" for samples.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Writing an Ethnography
Ethnographic Interview and Questions
